Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Essential Urban Farmer (Humpday Giveaway!!!)

When I was in my early teens, I started to imagine the type of woman I wanted to be when I grew up. At the time, I was equal parts smitten with fashion, skateboarding (my brother and I had a half-pipe in our backyard and I had posters of Tony Hawk adorning my bedroom walls alongside those of Joey McIntyre), and creative self-expression. I was on the journalism staff, acted in school plays, and pursued my French homework with a studied conviction. Though I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to be when older, I knew, more or less, who I wanted to be. I wanted to be bold. I wanted to be brave. I wanted to be innovative. I couldn't possibly have known it then, but, essentially, I wanted to be Novella Carpenter.

Novella is the sort of person you want to know. She's resourceful. She's smart (not just everyone can say they studied under Michael Pollan at Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism). She's funny. She's tenaciously devoted to her convictions. And she engages in all of this resourcefulness and intelligence and humor and conviction from an urban farm in Oakland, California, where she's been toiling the soil (and fighting the law to do so) for the past decade. Her memoir, Farm City, details her epic journey as the steward of Ghost Town Farm. This excerpt, from the book's opening chapter, gives you a taste of the concise yet evocative prose that Novella is known for. She's a great writer, in my opinion. She's a seriously righteous lady, also in my opinion.

To that end, I'd like to share a bit of Novella's newest venture with you today. Well, firstly, let me state that she actually has two new ventures going on. The first, and most paramount, is in her new role of mom to a baby girl born in late December. Secondly, and more directly relevant to this blog (and, thereby, you!) is her new book The Essential Urban Farmer, co-authored with fellow urban farmer Willow Rosenthal. A beast of a book at over 500 pages, this hefty tome details all it takes to make things live and grow in an urban setting. As the book's press release details it:Carpenter and Rosenthal share their experiences as successful urban farmers and provide practical blueprints-complete with rich visual material-for novice and experienced growers looking to bring the principles of ethical food to the city streets. The Essential Urban Farmer guides readers from day one to market day, advising on how to find the perfect site, design a landscape, and cultivate crops.

Novella ran into, and continues to run into, a number of challenges as an urban farmer. From growing a renegade garden on an abandoned plot to butchering animals in an urban setting, it's not always sunshine and happiness in the 'hood. And that's part of what I love about her writing, and her spirit, so very much. She doesn't sugarcoat things. She gives it to you straight. And she's not afraid of controversy, or of carrying the torch a long, long time for something she feels strongly about.

Penguin Books, Novella's publisher, has graciously given me two copies, one for review and one to give away to a small measure reader. To be entered in the giveaway for a copy of The Essential Urban Farmer, simply leave a comment below. Please leave a means of reaching you, should you be the winner. I'll run the giveaway through next Wednesday, February 8th, midnight EST. Canadians, let's hear from you, too!

Winner or not, do check out Novella's blog and publications. She's a gifted, colorful, inspiring writer. She's full of gumption. She goes for the jugular. She's all I hope to be, and then some. My teenage self would have loved her, and my grown up self does, too.

UPDATE: The winner of the "The Essential Urban Farmer" is lucky #99, Valerie. Thank you so very much to everyone that entered! This book is a sure-fire winner, that much I know!

I have a library copy of this book on my coffee table! I'd love to have my own, as my hubs and I are about to put in an offer on a two-acre property right outside of town! I need a plan (and the ability to highlight) very soon!I can be reached at abisuz@gmail.com

Reading, it occurs to me that those bees and chickens are a now venture. So far my small town dovecote homesteading has been baking bread and growing salad greens and tomatoes in raised beds. But I turn to my hubby and say, "12 years! We put off the bees and chickens because we were going to move....and we have been here 12 years!" Lol. Woman!(I say to myself) You just have to do it.

I loved her first book and am excited to read this one. I'm new to your blog and would like to say how wonderful I'm finding it as I take baby steps into urban farming. Thank you. Emma : healthesole101@gmail.com

Excellent - the 500 pages is actually appealing as most of the books out there I *wish* were more comprehensive :) I can be reached via my blog, not comfortable leaving my personal email out on the comment field, thanks !!!

Just moved to a new place and am in the process of setting up garden and hives and (hopefully) chicken coop. Would LOVE to have such a rich resource to help us in our venture! thank you SO much for offering the chance to win it!

What an interesting book. I had heard of urban farms but hadn't really thought through what that might involve. Thanks for pointing out the book. I know that Farm City is always checked out at our library.

I absolutely loved Farm City. I had become a little tired of the lofty prose common in many foodie books. You hit the nail on the head when you say Novella is a straight shooter!If I don't win the contest I am totally going to buy it anyway :). matt.pricew@gmail.com

I'm a Librarian in a small rural community in Maine. Although you would think most people who live in our community would have the land for a garden, unfortunately it isn't so. There are several areas with "associations" that disallow gardens. Several people have tried to "buck the system" but have been discouraged by the red tape involved in changing people's minds about community gardening.I have a glorious farm, large gardens, chickens and a large flock of sheep and 8 border collies (that work full time). I don't need the book. If I win the book, I would donate it to our library for all the people who would like to garden but are having trouble figuring out how to get started.Sharon at haleypond@psouth.net

I would love to read this and then pass it on to my son. He just moved into a new home and it is pretty much a blank slate that he wants to make into an urban farm. Thank you for offering this! djones@agh.org

I love reading about other's journey to self-sufficiency, Although I do not live in an urban setting, I find these stories so inspiring. It's exactly the right message I hope everyone hears. You don't have to live on lots of acreage to take care of yourself, your community, and the world. Keeping my fingers crossed that I win this one! thedawnharris@hotmail.com

oh my goodness! I just wrote about this book earlier this week, as I picked it up by chance at the library and loved it immediately. Living in Chicago, this book is one that will need to be in my collection sooner or later (preferably sooner). Novella's memoir is one of the many books that has inspired me to keep working towards the farm dream, so when I saw she wrote this awesome book, a good thing got so much better. I also think it's awesome that a book on urban farming is written by two women. sweet!

I don't know how I came across Farm City, but it was the first book to really help me think that urban farming is possible and practical. Novella is a fantastic writer and I've recommended her book to everyone I know that has questions about gardening, bees, the whole lot of it. She's incredibly inspiring and her words have stuck with me frequently through the last few years.

When she posted on her blog that this book was being released, I was so excited! Thank you for the opportunity to win! It would be a great resource to help my budding urban farm grow!

Your books have been a wonderful help to my first experiences in the "farming" world. I work with children in residential treatment and we are working hard as an agency to use the land and space we have to build a program that increases the kids skills, connection with the natural world, awareness of where their food comes from and healthy eating and living etc. We have already started a chicken coop and have bees and potentially miniature goats on the way. This reference would be a tremendous help. Should I be the lucky winner, you can reach me at fclayton@gmail.com

WOW! Who knew so many little girls loved skateboarding as children and grew up to be farm aficionados as well! I managed to marry my skateboarding dream...my husband collects vintage skateboards and we have over 200+ hanging on the walls of our house! I dream of farming (every waking moment!), but am currently stuck with potted plants in my window frames of my Brooklyn Apartment...which gets little light and is merely a block away from the WM (waste management!) plant. Credendo Vides...by believing one sees!!!! I'm a believer! I would love to win this book and get a leg up on the future!

Novella Carpenter is the bee's knees! I still tell people of her crazy escapades (fattening pigs by dumpster diving 2x a day - chinese food, no less!) even 2 years after I read her fantastic book! She feels like the friend I always wanted but still haven't made yet. I'd love to read her next round of tips and tricks!

Wow! I definitely plan to read this book, as Hubs and I are selfishly eying a perfect little plot of land-- it has room for a spacious garden, chickens, AND a beehive! We're looking at it this weekend. :D

I read Novella's first book and LOVED it!! I am so excited that her second book has finally come out and would love to read it. Here's hoping I'm the lucky one. If not, I'm definitely buying myself a copy!! Go, Novella!

This is just the book we are looking for-besides your books! (I permanently renew them from the library.) Thank you so much. IT is making me dream of spring already-there are many things to get ready. Libbylibmeister@hotmail.com

It's been a while since I visited her blog...thanks for reminding me of her because I just read her post about the book "An Everlasting Meal" and sounds like it's right up my alley. heyzillah@yahoo.com

This one is one my "to read" list, so I'd love to win. I'm so happy to have found your blog, and recent post in Verve magazine, through my Facebook feed of From Scratch; it's nice to have found a connection with similarly interested folks. Thank you.

I'm still in the reading/planning stage of making changes to my lifestyle. I would really love this book to learn more and help me make the right choices. I can be reached at vae2769@hawkmail.hacc.edu.

It isn't always rosy in the hood!! Great line! My husband and I have what we call a farm-ette here in a suburb of Portland Maine. Last year we ended up processing Thanksgiving turkeys during rush hour for all the commuters to see. Things were dicey for a while but we are figuring it out

Hi Ashley, Nice to meetcha!i've been drooling over your books on Amazon for about 6 months...I think i've saved enough money to finally buy them. Happy to have just found your website. :)You can reach me at lisa@theplantlady.com

When I came across Farm City a few years back, I was instantly smitten. I read it over a 24 hour period between the early days of my own urban farm projects and working crappy jobs for cash. It provided lots of encouragement and inspiration for me in those days. I'm excited that Novella is at it again!

OMG a chance to win this book! SO AWESOM. I love love love Novella Carpenter. Her first book is what inspired me to become an urban farmer. I hope I win!Thanks for the opportunity,Raquelroc2104@yahoo.com

Novella was just the nudge I needed to start my garden/chicken/rabbit adventure in my back yard. When I read farm city I asked myself 'if she can why can't I?' I cannot tell you how much I loved her first book. Seriously she is my hero. Either way her new book will find its way into my life.

About Me

Making an attempt to craft a good life with my husband and young son in a small mountain community. I find pleasure in the light at dusk, atlases, hard cider, cat antics, dog breath, baby giggles, homemade ice cream and snorty laughter.
Author of the "Homemade Living" book series (Lark Books) which showcases topics related to small-scale homesteading and some of the diverse ways people are reconnecting with their food and food communities and taking up sustainable food practices.
I also host a bi-monthly column every Friday on Design*Sponge:http://www.designspongeonline.com/category/small-measures.
E-mail me directly at: ashleyadamsenglish(at)gmail.com.

The Best LIttle Chicken Coop in Candler

"The Big Problem is nothing more or less than the sum total of countless little everyday choices, most of them made by us and most of the rest of them made in the name of our needs and desires and preferences."-Michael Pollan